Journalism

• COM JO 100: Introduction to Journalism
  This course is a basic introduction to the field of journalism. It will acquaint students from COM and across the university to the journalism profession from a practitioner's perspective. 2 cr, either sem.
• COM JO 250: Fundamentals of Journalism
  Required of journalism majors. The goal is for students to acquire fundamental newsgathering and writing skills needed to thrive as a journalist working in any medium. The course is based in the classroom, but students are expected to learn and adhere to professional newsroom standards. The course focuses on essential practices and principles that apply to reporters, photographers, bloggers, producers and editors at newspapers, magazines, radio, television and online media. The class emphasizes news judgment, storytelling and reporting skills as well as writing clearly and quickly. 4 cr, either sem.
• COM JO 301: Editorial Design
  This is a studio course where students learn to design for print. Students will design a newsletter and sample pages for a magazine on topics of their own choosing. Students will learn and design with QuarkXPress, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator. This course covers the principles of typography, composition, and visual language and encourages creative/innovative ideas. All projects will be portfolio pieces. 4 cr, either sem.
• COM JO 303: Visual Journalism
  Required of journalism majors. This course familiarizes all journalism majors with the fundamentals of digital photography and videography, and to teach the skills necessary for the uses of both media in journalism. Students will learn the basics of how to produce online media reports. 4 cr, either sem.
• COM JO 304: Online Journalism
  Required of journalism majors. This course introduces students to reporting, writing and creating multimedia journalism for the web. Students will view and critique news web site and learn how to create stories using a variety mediums. They will learn which elements -- text, stills, audio, video, and interactive graphics -- are best for delivering a story and engaging an online news audience. Students will learn the basics of the tools needed to create multimedia journalism packages and practice using them to report news online. 4 cr, either sem.
• COM JO 305: Basic Photography for non majors
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor for non-COM students
  Graduate Prerequisites: Consent of instructor for non-COM students
  Students learn the fundamentals of 35mm digital photography from the basics of image capture to processing and printing finished photographs, and an introduction to the use of photos in digital media. No previous experience in photography is required. 4 cr., either sem.
• COM JO 307: Newswriting and Reporting I
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM CO 201 and CAS WR 150.
  Required for all JO majors. This course is the gateway to our sequence of skills courses, across different media platforms. Students will learn how to gather and verify information, including interviews, research, and other reporting techniques. Students also learn to write on deadline and get an introduction to presenting work on-line. 4 cr, either sem.
• COM JO 308: Newswriting and Reporting II
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 307.
  Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 307.
  Advanced newswriting. Confronts major reportorial challenges; demands polishing of writing and construction; considers ethical problems.
• COM JO 309: Feature Writing
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 308.
  Writing feature articles for newspapers. Covers markets open to free-lance writers, published articles, newspaper feature sections, and Sunday supplements.
• COM JO 310: Beat Reporting
  Students learn to cover a city neighborhood or a nearby community bear. Students will branch out across the city and suburbs to cover courts, crime, education, local and state politics, and other essentials of community reporting. Students will be encouraged to develop their own sources and story ideas with the goal of professional publication in the Boston University News Service. Students produce stories, photos, audio and video for the Web. 4 cr, either sem.
• COM JO 312: Photojournalism I
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 305.
  Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 305.
  An introductory course for students interested in pursuing a career in photojournalism and visual reporting. Students photograph assignments to the standards of professional news outlets and advance their skills in digital photography for use on websites and in publications. 4 cr., either sem.
• COM JO 351: Reporting with Audio and Video
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 307.
  Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 307.
  Introductory writing and reporting for television, the Internet and radio using digital video cameras, audio recorders, editing suites as well as the computer editing and the news writing software used in professional television and radio newsrooms. 4 cr, either sem.
• COM JO 357: History and Principles of Journalism
  This course surveys the evolution of the American news media, beginning with newspapers in 1704 and continuing through the coming of the Internet and the Digital Revolution now sweeping through journalism. Students examine press freedom, censorship, changing definitions of news, and changes in the business model underlying journalism. Based on that history, we also examine the enduring values and principles of journalism in the U.S. and consider emerging business models. 4 cr, either sem.
• COM JO 358: British Journalism, Culture, and Society
  Provides an opportunity for intensive study of British media in the context of the political, cultural, and social life of the United Kingdom. Close attention is paid to the practical aspects of television, radio, and newspapers, together with the social, economic, and commercial background against which the British media function.
• COM JO 403: Magazine Writing and Editing
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 308.
  Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 308.
  Students learn to research, write, and edit lengthy articles of national magazine quality.
• COM JO 408: Magazine Workshop
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 308.
  Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 308.
  This final magazine writing course is designed to create a published magazine as a writing portfolio for students. This is a studio course, taught by two professors, which covers writing and design in a setting that captures the dynamics of professional practice. Students within each group, assume professional positions and conceptualize, write, edit, design, and publish magazines. Magazines are designed and published using QuarkXPress and Adobe Photoshop. Design concepts and techniques, along with computer programs used in this course, are taught with step by step instructions. 4 cr, either sem.
• COM JO 410: Advanced Photography for Nonmajors
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 305.
  Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 305; and consent of instructor.
  A course for students outside of the photojournalism major who are interested in acquiring and advancing the skills required of present day journalists, including digital photography and its use in multimedia productions. 4 cr., 1st sem.
• COM JO 411: Professional Journalism Internship
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 307 and COM JO 308; B average in COM courses; must be a junior or senior.
  Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 308; B average in COM courses, must be a junior or senior.
  Valuable on-the-job practice of journalism skills. Provides student with portfolio of professional work. The student works 150 hours per semester or summer at the internship. Assistance in placement; instructor must approve project. Comprehensive paper, employer evaluation, and portfolio required at end of semester.
• COM JO 412: Professional Journalism Internship
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 307 and COM JO 308; B average in COM courses; must be a junior or senior.
  Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 308; B average in COM courses, must be a junior or senior.
  Valuable on-the-job practice of journalism skills. Provides student with portfolio of professional work. The student works 150 hours per semester or summer at the internship. Assistance in placement; instructor must approve project. Comprehensive paper, employer evaluation, and portfolio required at end of semester.
• COM JO 413: Broadcast Journalism Internship
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor and junior standing.
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor and junior standing.
  On-the-job observation and training at a television or radio station. Comprehensive paper/employer evaluation required at end of semester.